My mechanic told me....

[Southbay]

that I should expect a major repair job to replace the spark plugs in my 2013 Ex. El limited because of the 5.4 3 valve..? He said last one he did he broke of 3 plugs which was over $1,000.00..He said I should expect the same...I've used this guy for almost 20 years..What do you guys think..Thanks.. Also I'm the third owner don't know if they are the original plugs.. Vehicle has 126,000 miles

 

[Trainmaster]

The problem "two piece" plugs in early 5.4 3 valves were redesigned during the 2008 model year and trucks after that have normal plugs. Replacing them in your 2013 will be no different than any other car, will incur no unusual risk and shouldn't cost any extra.

Isn't it nice to get good news sometimes?

 

[07navi]

What do I think? Get another mechanic, or better yet ,do it yourself..........not that hard.

 

[sjwelds]

My 2012 was no sweat. Your 2013 will be even less sweaty.

 

[Thunderbirdsport]

After 2008 or so, Ford did away with the two piece plugs, the ones that gave fits to everyone. You're good to go. Your mechanic needs to be made aware of this.
You can do it yourself, all you need is an air hose with a nozzle (to blow the holes out after you remove the coils, but before you remove the plugs) a rag or 3, some dieelctric grease, a 9/16" socket, some extensions, a wobble, ratchet, and of course the new plugs. I gave mine a shot a of PB blaster about 20 minutes before removing them (once coils were out of the way and I blew them out with air)...I replaced mine with the motorcraft SP509, it's what was in it, too. No worries.

Nothing to it. Plus, the wait time gave me time to go get another cup of coffee..

You got this.

 

[lbv150]

My 06 had a broken plug below the hex nothing to grab on with a socket....the extra cost was $200. My 04 puked a plug and the re-thread kit was $5

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

Even a lot of mechanics that work on the 5.4s all the time don't know all of the nuances between model years, etc. As above, the troublesome plugs were no longer being used in 2013. Now, you can certainly break the 1-piece plugs and my mechanic told me he has done it, but I imagine it must take pretty considerable force. I had to use a 30" breaker bar to get #8 out on my mine and there were some moments where I was certain it was going to snap, but it eventually came out unscathed (it did require some rust pentrant and a steady supply of obscenities).

 

[07navi]

I never liked the idea of using anti-seize on plugs but I do now. Never any problems getting them out with it.

 

[JamaicaJoe]

Does penetrant such as Kroil, actually get past the gasket and into the threads before loosening the plugs?

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

 

[07navi]

Does penetrant such as Kroil, actually get past the gasket and into the threads before loosening the plugs?

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

No, that's why they recommend cracking them open about a quarter turn. Scary but you need to do it.